Cut-off values of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index for cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with acute myocardial infarction.

The Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a straightforward nutritional risk assessment tool with an established relationship with poor prognosis in patients with heart failure. However, the utility of the GNRI in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains unclear given the time-dependent changes in the pathophysiology of AMI and the selected endpoints. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate the optimal cut-off values of the GNRI for cardiovascular events in patients with AMI. We used time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis to identify the optimal cut-off values for two endpoints, all-cause death and major adverse cardiac events (MACE: all-cause death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, hospitalization for heart failure, and stroke), over 4 years in 360 patients with AMI between 2012 and 2020. The cumulative incidence of MACE was 11.6%. The cut-off value of the GNRI for all-cause death was 82.7 (area under the curve [AUC], 0.834) at 3 months and 90.3 (AUC 0.854) at 4 years. The cut-off value of the GNRI for MACE was 83.0 (AUC 0.841) at 3 months and 95.3 (AUC 0.821) at 4 years. The GNRI demonstrated consistently high reliability relative to other indicators of AMI. Our findings indicated that the optimal cut-off value and reliability of the GNRI for cardiovascular events varied according to the endpoints and observation periods. GNRI emerges as a crucial predictor of prognosis for patients with AMI.

Morpho-molecular characterization and phylogenetic relationships of Encotyllabe percussa n. sp. (Monogenea: Capsalidae) from the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus (Teleostei, Lethrinidae).

Encotyllabe percussa n. sp. is proposed based on morphology and DNA sequences analysis of ribosomal (18S, 28S) and mitochondrial (COI) gene fragments. Encotyllabe percussa n. sp. was found infecting the spangled emperor Lethrinus nebulosus (n = 75) with higher prevalence from Dibba, Musandam (Gulf of Oman) than in Dhofar Salalah (Indian Ocean), Oman (p = 0.03). The general morphology of E. percussa n. sp. resembles E. caballeroi, E. chironemi and E. spari, which exhibit pre-equatorial testes. However, E. percussa n. sp. shows unique morphological characteristics distinguishing from congeneric species: the large hamuli bear notch allocated externally between the first half proximal of the root, and the small hamuli exhibit semicircular shape with undivided roots. Phylogenetic relationships within the Encotyllabe genus remain unresolved. However, the tree topology with the 28S showed overall consistency with the principal component analysis arrangement (PCA) derived from the morphological analysis. Which showed that the large and small hamuli, marginal hooks, ovary, testes (length and width) and peduncle are currently the most important morphological traits within the genus. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene fragment showed high interspecific genetic divergence adding unambiguous resolution to discriminate/designate species identity. Interrelations within the genus support the identity of Encotyllabe percussa as a new species. This is the first species characterized with three gene fragments, the second congeneric species described in L. nebulosus and the first recorded in Oman.

Description of Discocotyle ciray n. sp. (Monogenea: Discocotylidae) from Parahucho perryi (Brevoort) from Hokkaido, Japan, with a redescription of D. sagittata (Leuckart, 1842).

Discocotyle sagittata (Leuckart, 1842) (Monogenea: Discocotylidae) is redescribed, based on specimens collected from the type host, Salmo trutta Linnaeus, from the type locality, Freiburg, Germany, supplemented with specimens from S. trutta and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum) reared in an Austrian aquarium. The diagnosis of the genus Discocotyle Diesing, 1850 is emended. Discocotyle ciray n. sp. is described, based on immature, preadult and adult specimens from the salmonid, Parahucho perryi (Brevoort) at Eniwa, Hokkaido, Japan. Adult specimens of the new species were about twice as large as those of D. sagittata from S. trutta. When the type specimens of D. ciray n. sp. were examined together with museum specimens from P. perryi at Tsurui, Hokkaido, the body and clamp sizes were positively correlated to the host size. Their measurements from a smaller P. perryi at Tsurui overlapped with those of D. sagittata, showing that these size differences were not suitable differentiating keys. Discocotyle ciray n. sp. can be separated from D. sagittata by the morphologies of the female genital system (relatively anteriorly positioned ovary, short joint vaginal duct and much more strongly winding uterus). The genetic distances of COI mtDNA sequence between D. ciray n. sp. and D. sagittata were 18.0-18.6%. These remarkable genetic divergences also supported the distinct taxonomic status of D. ciray n. sp.

Inhibitory action of B-type natriuretic peptide on adrenocorticotropic hormone in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

In addition to the classical actions of hemodynamic regulation, natriuretic peptides (NPs) interact with various neurohumoral factors that are deeply involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. However, their effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is activated under acute high-stress conditions in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), remain largely unknown. We investigated the impact of plasma B-type NP (BNP) on plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-cortisol levels during the acute phase of ACS ischemic attacks. The study population included 436 consecutive patients with ACS for whom data were collected during emergency cardiac catheterization. Among them, biochemical data after acute-phase treatment were available in 320 cases, defined as the ACS-remission phase (ACS-rem). Multiple regression analyses revealed that plasma BNP levels were significantly negatively associated with plasma ACTH levels only during ACS attacks (P < 0.001), but not in ACS-rem, whereas plasma BNP levels were not significantly associated with plasma cortisol levels at any point. Accordingly, covariance structure analyses were performed to clarify the direct contribution of BNP to ACTH by excluding other confounding factors, confirming that BNP level was negatively correlated with ACTH level only during ACS attacks (ß = -0.152, P = 0.002), whereas BNP did not significantly affect ACTH in ACS-rem. In conclusion, despite the lack of a significant direct association with cortisol levels, BNP negatively regulated ACTH levels during the acute phase of an ACS attack in which the HPA axis ought to be activated. NP may alleviate the acute stress response induced by severe ischemic attacks in patients with ACS.NEW & NOTEWORTHY BNP negatively regulates ACTH during a severe ischemic attack of ACS in which hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis ought to be activated, indicating an important role of natriuretic peptides as a mechanism of adaptation to acute critical stress conditions in humans.

Time-dependent changes in P2Y12 reaction unit values for predicting the different types of cardiovascular events in patients with ischemic heart disease.

Several studies have investigated the association between P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) value and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with ischemic heart disease, but there is no well-established consensus on the utility of PRU value. Furthermore, the optimal PRU cut-off value varied with studies. One reason may be that the endpoints and observation periods differed, depending on the study. This study aimed to investigate the optimal cut-off and predictive ability of the PRU value for predicting cardiovascular events, while considering different endpoints and observation periods. We surveyed a total of 338 patients receiving P2Y12 inhibitors and measured PRU during cardiac catheterization. Using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic analysis, we evaluated the cut-off and area under curve (AUC) of the PRU value for two MACEs (MACE ①: composite of death, myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, and cerebral infarction; MACE ②: composite of MACE ① and target vessel revascularization) at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months after cardiac catheterization. MACE ① occurred in 18 cases and MACE ② in 32 cases. The PRU cut-off values at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 257, 238, 217, and 216, respectively, for MACE ① and 250, 238, 209, and 204, respectively, for MACE ②. The AUCs at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 0.753, 0.832, 0.718, and 0.717, respectively, for MACE ① and 0.724, 0.722, 0.664, and 0.682, respectively, for MACE ②. The optimal cut-off and predictive ability of PRU values for cardiovascular events varied depending on different endpoints and duration of the observation periods. A relatively high PRU value is effective for short-term event suppression, but a low value is required for long-term event suppression.

Pulmonary Vein Angioplasty for Pulmonary Vein Stenosis After Ablation Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation　- A Report of 7 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary vein (PV) stenosis after atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is rare; however, it remains a serious complication. PV angioplasty is reportedly an effective therapy; however, a dedicated device for PV angioplasty has not been developed, and the detailed procedural methods remain undetermined. This study describes the symptoms, indications, treatment strategies, and long-term outcomes for PV stenosis after AF ablation.Methods and Results: This study retrospectively analyzed 7 patients with PV stenosis after catheter ablation for AF and who had undergone PV angioplasty at our hospital during 2015-2021. PV stenosis occurred in the left superior (5 patients) and left inferior (2 patients) PV. Six patients had hemoptysis, chest pain, and dyspnea. Seven de novo lesions were treated using balloon angioplasty (BA) (3 patients), a bare metal stent (BMS) (3 patients), and a drug-coated balloon (DCB) (1 patient). The restenosis rate was 42.9% (n=3; 2 patients in the BA group and 1 patient in the DCB group). The repeat treatment rate was 28.6% (2 patients in the BA group). Stenting was performed as repeat treatment. One patient with subsequent repeat restenosis development underwent BA. Ten PV angioplasties were performed; there were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Regarding PV angioplasty after ablation therapy for AF, stenting showed superior long-term PV patency than BA alone; therefore, it should be considered as a standard first-line approach.

Impact of Gut Microbiota on the Pharmacokinetics of Glycyrrhizic Acid in Yokukansan, a Kampo Medicine.

Individual differences in gut microbiota can affect the pharmacokinetics of drugs. Yokukansan is a traditional Japanese kampo medicine used to treat peripheral symptoms of dementia and delirium. A study examining the pharmacokinetics of the components of yokukansan reported large individual differences in the pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhizic acid (GL). It is known that GL is metabolized by intestinal bacteria to glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), which is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the gut microbiota may affect GL pharmacokinetics. We aimed to clarify the relationship between the gut microbiota composition and pharmacokinetics of GL in yokukansan. Mice were orally administered yokukansan, following the administration of various antibiotics, and the plasma concentration of GA and composition of gut microbiota were measured. The GA plasma concentration was low in mice treated with amoxicillin and vancomycin. The composition of gut microbiota revealed a different pattern from that of the control group. Mice with low plasma levels of GA had lower levels of the phylum Bacteroides and Firmicutes. Additionally, bacteria, such as those belonging to the genera Parabaceroides, Bacteroides, Ruminococcus and an unknown genus in families Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae, exerted positive correlations between the gene copies and plasma GA levels. These bacteria may contribute to the absorption of GA in the gastrointestinal tract, and multiple bacteria may be involved in GL pharmacokinetics. The pharmacokinetics of GL may be predicted by evaluating the composition of gut bacteria, rather than by evaluating the amount of a single bacterium.

The safety and feasibility of retrograde balloon aortic valvuloplasty using the INOUE-BALLOON with severe aortic stenosis.

In the transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) era, the indications for balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) are increasing. Previously, the INOUE-BALLOON® (IB) was used only for antegrade BAV, but recently, it has also been used for retrograde BAV. However, the safety and feasibility of retrograde BAV using an IB are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the safety and feasibility of retrograde BAV using an IB in elderly Japanese patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). We compared 39 cases of retrograde BAV using an IB performed from June 2018 to September 2020 and 34 cases of antegrade BAV using an IB performed from August 2013 to May 2018. The total number of complications was lower in retrograde BAV than in antegrade BAV (p = 0.020). The procedure time was significantly shorter in retrograde BAV than in antegrade BAV (p < 0.001), and the maximum balloon size and number of balloon inflations were smaller in retrograde BAV than in antegrade BAV (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in the degree of improvement in the aortic valve area or ejection fraction between retrograde and antegrade BAV. In conclusion, the present study showed the safety and feasibility of retrograde BAV using an IB in elderly Japanese patients with severe AS compared with antegrade BAV using an IB.

Redescription of Zeuxapta seriolae (Meserve, 1938) and Zeuxapta australica Lebedev, 1968 (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae).

Redescription is given of heteraxinid monogeneans Zeuxapta seriolae (Meserve, 1938), type species of the genus, and Zeuxapta australica Lebedev, 1968 (formerly Z. seriolae australica). Type specimens of Z. seriolae from Seriola dorsalis from Galápagos Islands were differentiated from Z. australica specimens collected by Lebedev from Seriola glandis (now Seriola lalandi) from Tasman Sea, the type locality, by the shape of the vagina, which consisted of the transversely oval central body and horizontally extended paired tubes in the former, and the transversely oval central body and short, obliquely posteriad paired extensions in the latter. Zeuxapta japonica (Yamaguti, 1940) and Zeuxapta kahala (Yamaguti, 1968) were synonymized with Z. seriolae. Hitherto undescribed Zeuxapta specimens were also examined; those from Seriola aureovittata from Japan and China, and specimens from Seriola dumerili from Japan and Spain were identified as Z. seriolae, while those from Seriola lalandi from Chile and New Zealand were identified as Z. australica. Specimens from S. lalandi (as Seriola glandis) from Heron Island, Australia described by Rohde in 1978 as Z. seriolae consisted of Z. seriolae and Z. australica.

Five new and two known species of Heterobothrium (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) infecting puffers of the genus Takifugu from Japanese waters.

Seven species of puffers of the genus Takifugu caught in Japanese waters were examined for monogeneans on the gills. Five new species of Heterobothrium (H. gotoi n. sp. from T. porphyreus, H. tabetai n. sp. from T. vermicularis, H. aljufailiae n. sp. and H. iwatai n. sp. from T. snyderi, H. matsubarai n. sp. from T. stictonotus) and two known species (H. praeorchis Bychowsky, Mamaev & Nagibina, 1976 from T. pardalis, T. chrysops and T. flavipterus and H. bychowskyi Ogawa, 1991 from T. flavipterus) were found and described. Heterobothrium tetrodonis of Iwata (1991) was synonymized with H. bychowskyi. Currently, a total of 11 species of Heterobothrium, including the seven species in this study, were recorded from nine species of Japanese Takifugu spp. Ten species excluding H. praeorchis were found from a single host species, suggesting that they are highly host-specific and have co-evolved with the host Takifugu spp. Tagia Sproston, 1946 is synonymized with Heterobothrium. Earlier divergence of Heterobothrium of tetraodontid puffers in Diclidophoridae was suggested by the large subunit ribosomal DNA (rDNA) analyses, and interspecific relationships in this genus inferred from the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA well corresponded to those inferred from their morphology and adhesive mode to the gills. Including the five new species and synonymization of Tagia with Heterobothrium, the genus Heterobothrium now comprises 19 species.

Possible Association Between Body Temperature and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: In addition to various biological effects of natriuretic peptides (NP) on cardiovascular systems, we recently reported that NP raises intracellular temperature in cultured adipocytes. We herein examined the possible thermogenic action of NP in consideration of hemodynamic parameters and inflammatory reaction by proposing structural equation models. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 1985 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. Covariance structure analyses were performed to clarify the direct contribution of plasma B-type NP (BNP) to body temperature (BT) by excluding other confounding factors. A hierarchical path model showed increase in BNP, increase in C-reactive protein and decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction were mutually associated. As expected, C-reactive protein was positively correlated with BT. Importantly, despite a negative correlation between BNP and left ventricular ejection fraction, a decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction was associated with BT decrease, whereas elevation in BNP level was associated with BT increase independently of C-reactive protein level (P = .007). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with LV dysfunction tend to manifest a decrease in BT, whereas BNP elevation is associated with an increase in BT independently of inflammatory response. These findings suggest the adaptive heat-retaining property of NP (and/or NP-associated factors) when BT falls owing to unfavorable hemodynamic conditions in a state of impaired cardiac function.

Species composition and infection levels of Anisakis (Nematoda: Anisakidae) in the skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus) in the Northwest Pacific.

Parasites can be used as biological tags to assess stock structures in various marine fish species. In the present study, the species composition and infection levels of parasitic nematodes of the genus Anisakis in the skipjack tuna Katsuwonus pelamis were examined in the Northwest Pacific and adjacent seas. A total of 867 third-stage larvae of Anisakis were collected from 112 skipjack tunas captured around Japan and in other subtropical localities. All larvae were identified as A. berlandi, A. pegreffii, A. simplex (s.s.), A. typica, and A. physeteris (s.l.) by the direct sequencing of the mitochondrial cox2 gene and real-time PCR assays targeting the nuclear ITS region. Anisakis species composition differed among northeastern Japan, the Sea of Japan, and other areas (central Japan, the Nansei Islands, and subtropical region), which is largely concordant with previous stock discrimination of skipjack tuna. Molecular phylogenetic analysis resulted in two intraspecific genetic groups in A. simplex (s.s.), one of which occurred almost exclusively in northeastern Japan. This could be a useful indicator for stock discrimination. Skipjack tunas from northeastern Japan were also characterized by a remarkable variety in the intensity of A. simplex (s.s.), suggesting the commingling of individuals with different migration patterns. This idea might be further justified by the geographic distribution of two genetically distinct groups of A. physeteris (s.l.).

Emendation of the genus Neoheterobothrium and a proposal of a new genus Paraheterobothrium (Monogenea: Diclidophoridae) for five species of diclidophorids from Pleuronectiform fishes.

Neoheterobothrium chilense González, Oliva & Acuña, 2002 is redescribed based on newly collected specimens from the type host, Hippoglossina macrops and type locality (Coquimbo, Northern Chile). Type specimens of Neoheterobothrium hippoglossini Piasecki, Wierzbicka & Kempter, 2000 and Choricotyle exilis Crane, 1972 are also redescribed. These three diclidophorid monogeneans infecting pleuronectiform flatfishes have pre-ovarian seminal receptacle, ootype inside the semicircle of ovary and elongated pharynx, differentiated from the most similar Orbocotyle Euzet & Suriano, 1975 in that members of the latter genus possess post-ovarian seminal receptacle, post-ovarian ootype and cylindrical or pyriform pharynx. Paraheterobothrium n. g. is proposed for P. chilense n. comb. (type), P. hippoglossini n. comb., P. exilis n. comb., P. papillosum n. comb. and P. syacii n. comb. A redescription of Neoheterobothrium affine (Linton, 1898), the type species of the genus, based on voucher specimens confirmed differences from the new genus in the presence of lamellate plate in the anterior jaw of clamps, absence of seminal receptacle and ovoid pharynx. The genus Neoheterobothrium was emended and N. cynoscioni (MacCallum, 1917) and N. mcdonaldi Payne, 1987 were removed from the genus. Neoheterobothrium now comprises N. affine (type), N. insulare Oliva & Luque, 1995, N. hirame Ogawa, 1999, and N. paralichthyi Suriano & Labriola, 1999, all of them parasites of flatfishes of the genus Paralichthys. Molecular analyses with the internal transcribed spacer 1 distinguished the clade for Paraheterobothrium spp. (P. chilense n. comb. and P. papillosum n. comb.) and Neoheterobothrium spp. (N. hirame, N. affine and N. paralichthyi), supporting this taxonomic emendation.

Three species of Dendromonocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) collected from Japanese rays.

Eighteen species of Dendromonocotyle Hargis, 1955 (Monogenea: Monocotylidae) have so far been described from elasmobranchs worldwide. In this paper, two new species are described; Dendromonocotyle tsutsumii n. sp. from the skin of the Japanese eagle ray, Myliobatis tobijei Bleeker from Tokyo Bay and the pitted stingray, Dasyatis matsubarai Miyosi, from Ooarai, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, and Dendromonocotyle fukushimaensis n. sp. from the skin of the cow stingray, Dasyatis ushiei (Jordan & Hubbs) reared at an aquarium in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Dendromonocotyle tsutsumii is distinguished from the congeners by the presence of a sclerotised duct connecting the vagina with the seminal receptacle, and De. fukushimaensis by the large body size and the presence of a donut-shaped structure encircling the male copulatory organ near its distal end. Additionally, the reproductive system of Dendromonocotyle akajeii Ho & Perkins, 1980 is redescribed, based on specimens from the skin of the whip stingray, Hemitrygon akajei (Müller & Henle) (syn. Dasyatis akajei) caught in Hamana Lake, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. A key to the 20 species of Dendromonocotyle including the present new species is provided.

[The Influence for Image Quality of Diffusion Weighted Image by Gradient Coil Systems].

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence for image quality of diffusion weighted image (DWI) by gradient coil systems (two single gradient systems and a dual gradient system). We obtained DWIs of a phantom and three volunteer brains, changing gradient coil systems and echo time (TE) from configurable shortest TE to 130 ms. Image quality of DWI was evaluated by signal to noise ratio (SNR), image distortion, susceptibility artifact, and visual evaluation. SNR of dual gradient system and configurable shortest TE was the highest in phantom study, but there was no difference for SNR of volunteer brain images by each gradient coil system in visual evaluation. Image distortion of single gradient system with low gradient amplitude was the worst in phantom study, and the score of visual evaluation in susceptibility artifact was significantly lower than other gradient coil systems. Dual gradient system was low influence to image distortion and susceptibility artifact. In conclusion, using dual gradient system and configurable shortest TE is recommended for less distortion, low susceptibility artifact, and high SNR image.

The beneficial effects of long-term enzyme replacement therapy on cardiac involvement in Japanese Fabry patients.

Fabry disease is a hereditary disorder that occurs due to the reduction or absence of alpha-galactosidase A activity, which leads to cardiac involvement including left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) provides better patient outcomes by preventing serious complications. However, there have been very few studies on the long-term effects of ERT on the cardiac manifestations in Japanese Fabry patients. We retrospectively analyzed the data from the medical records of 42 Fabry patients (male, n = 17; female, n = 25) who were followed at Jikei University Hospital, and in whom the long-term effects of ERT could be evaluated (median follow-up period: male, 11 years; female, 8 years). The slope of the left ventricular mass (LVM) increase was 3.02 ±â€¯3.41 g/m2/year in males and 1.69 ±â€¯2.73 g/m2/year in females. In a subgroup analysis, the slopes of males with and without LVH did not differ to a statistically significant extent; however, the slope in female patients without LVH was significantly smaller than that of female patients with LVH. We then compared our data to the natural historical data that have previously been reported. In comparison to the previously reported data, we found a significant reduction in the LVM changes (g/height2.7/year) of patients who received long-term ERT (male, 4.07 ±â€¯1.03 to 1.25 ±â€¯1.39; female, 2.31 ±â€¯0.81 to 0.78 ±â€¯1.23). Long-term ERT effectively prevents LVH in Fabry patients. This effect was also observed in the patients with LVH prior to the initiation of ERT.

Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits contact hypersensitivity induced by trichophytin via dectin-1.

Trichophyton infection is highly prevalent and tends to be recurrent. Therefore, it is important to develop new therapeutic agents. Previously, we established a mouse model of Trichophyton-induced contact hypersensitivity (CHS) and demonstrated that dectin-1 was involved in inflammation induced by trichophytin, the Trichophyton antigen. Here, we used that model to investigate glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) from plants of the genus Glycyrrhiza as a potential anti-inflammatory agent against superficial mycoses. GA suppressed swelling and the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA. Anti-MIP-2 antibody suppressed trichophytin-induced inflammation, and antidectin-1 antibody suppressed zymosan-induced MIP-2 production in keratinocyte cells. These results suggest that MIP-2 is produced by dectin-1 activation and is involved in inflammation associated with CHS to trichophytin. GA also suppressed zymosan-induced MIP-2 and interleukin (IL)-8, production in mouse and human macrophages and keratinocytes. Furthermore, GA suppressed the phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and inhibitor of nuclear factor-kappa B (IκBα) and the degradation of IκBα in zymosan-simulated RAW264.7 cells. The results of this study suggest that GA suppresses inflammation induced by trichophytin, partly by the downregulation of Syk phosphorylation.

Three new species of Pseudodactylogyrus (Monogenea: Pseudodactylogyridae) from Australian eels.

Three species of Pseudodactylogyrus Gusev, 1965 (Monogenea: Pseudodactylogyridae) were collected from the gills of Anguilla reinhardtii Steindachner and A. australis Richardson from several localities in Australia and eels imported to Japan from Australia. Pseudodactylogyrus gusevi sp. n. from A. reinhardtii (type host) and A. australis in Queensland, Australia is most similar to P. bini (Kikuchi, 1929), but can be differentiated by the shorter male copulatory tube, heavy sclerotisation of the vaginal tube and the presence of a small projection of the supplementary piece of the hamulus. Pseudodactylogyrus rohdei sp. n. from A. australis (type host) in Queensland, Australia is most similar to P. anguillae (Yin et Sproston, 1948), but differs in the possession of a longer cement gland and the presence of a small projection on the supplementary piece of the hamulus. Pseudodactylogyrus bini sensu Gusev, 1965 and P. anguillae sensu Gusev, 1965 are synonymised with P. gusevi sp. n. and P. rohdei sp. n., respectively. Pseudodactylogyrus mundayi sp. n. from A. australis, originating in Tasmania, Australia and sent alive to Japan, is most similar to P. kamegaii Iwashita, Hirata et Ogawa, 2002, from which it can be discriminated by the shorter male copulatory tube and the shorter vaginal tube. Dactylogyrus bialatus Wu, Wang et Jian, 1988 from Synechogobius ommaturus (Richardson) (Gobiidae) is transferred to Pseudodactylogyrus as P. bialatus comb. n. A phylogenetic tree based on the ITS2 region of six species of Pseudodactylogyrus including P. gusevi and P. mundayi shows that P. haze from a goby diverged first, and that species from eels are monophyletic, forming three lineages differing by their zoogeographical distribution. With the three new species and one new combination proposed in this paper, Pseudodactylogyrus is now comprised of eight species infecting anguillid and gobiid fish, and a key to species is presented.

Occurrence and molecular identification of Anisakis Dujardin, 1845 from marine fish in southern Makassar Strait, Indonesia.

Anisakis spp. (Nematoda: Anisakidae) parasitize a wide range of marine animals, mammals serving as the definitive host and different fish species as intermediate or paratenic hosts. In this study, 18 fish species were investigated for Anisakis infection. Katsuwonus pelamis, Euthynnus affinis, Caranx sp., and Auxis thazard were infected with high prevalence of Anisakis type I, while Cephalopholis cyanostigma and Rastrelliger kanagurta revealed low prevalence. The mean intensity of Anisakis larvae in K. pelamis and A. thazard was 49.7 and 5.6, respectively. A total of 73 Anisakis type I larvae collected from K. pelamis and A. thazard were all identified as Anisakis typica by PCR-RFLP analysis. Five specimens of Anisakis from K. pelamis and 15 specimens from A. thazard were sequenced using ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region and 6 specimens from A. thazard and 4 specimens from K. pelamis were sequenced in mtDNA cox2 region. Alignments of the samples in the ITS region showed 2 patterns of nucleotides. The first pattern (genotype) of Anisakis from A. thazard had 100% similarity with adult A. typica from dolphins from USA, whereas the second genotype from A. thazard and K. pelamis had 4 base pairs different in ITS1 region with adult A. typica from USA. In the mtDNA cox2 regions, Anisakis type I specimens from A. thazard and K. pelamis showed similarity range from 94% to 99% with A. typica AB517571/DQ116427. The difference of 4 bp nucleotides in ITS1 regions and divergence into 2 subgroups in mtDNA cox2 indicating the existence of A. typica sibling species in the Makassar Strait.

A new combination and a new species of onchobothriid tapeworm (Cestoda: Tetraphyllidea: Onchobothriidae) from triakid sharks.

A new combination and a new species of onchobothriid tapeworm are described from triakid sharks. We found Platybothrium xiamenensis Wang & Yang, 2001 and Erudituncus musteli (Yamaguti, 1952) from Hemitriakis japanica (Müller & Henle). Based on the morphology of the hooks P. xiamenensis is transferred to the genus Erudituncus Healy, Scholz & Caira, 2001. The specimens studied by us differ from the original description in the number of proglottids and testes and in the size of the cirrus-sac. However, we consider them conspecific with E. xiamenensis due to the consistent hook morphology and laciniations in both descriptions and believe the differences reflect intraspecific variation. The type-host of E. xiamenensis was reported as Mustelus griseus Pietschmann. However, in the present study, this parasite was found only in H. japanica and never in M. griseus although many specimens of the latter host were examined. This suggests that the type-host in the original description has probably been misidentified. We found another undescribed species in M. griseus, Calliobothrium shirozame n. sp., which is distinguished from the congeners by having a unique combination of the number of laciniations: four in the cephalic peduncle, six in the immature proglottids and four in the mature proglottids.